South American Trip Part III (this is it, I promise)

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

After the lovely Bariloche, Eme and I booked it further south to the Atlantic coastal town of Puerto Madryn. We found another traveling couple and rented a car to check out the sites.

First, we drove south to Punta Tombo, the worlds largest Magellanic penguin colony (outside of Antarctica). It was crazy! As soon as we stepped out of the car there were penguins milling about everywhere! You could walk right up to them and pet them, if you wanted to lose a finger that is.

There were over 200,000 breeding pairs with their nests and eggs. The chicks had apparently just started to hatch. We were lucky enough to find one nest with a little grey chick. So cute! But I didn't get the greatest shot of the chick... so this penguin on it's egg will have to do.

You want a hug?

The next morning we headed north to Reserva Faunistica Peninsula Valdes where the highlight of the day was, by far and away, the boat ride out in the bay to see the southern right whales and their calves. I've attempted whale watching a few times before, but have never had any luck so I was really excited to finally see them and was pointing, ohh-ing and aww-ing like a little kid! I was absolutely awe struck watching these giants peacefully diving and interacting with their calves. One came within 10ft of the boat to check us out!

Montevideo, Uruguay

I ended the trip with a few days in Uruguay. The capital, Montevideo, was a lot like it's Big Sister Buenos Aires, but a lot smaller, tranquilo and on the coast. It seemed to have a cool vibe, but unfortunately I didn't get to spend too much time there.

One of the cities many plazas.

Garbage collector

Punta del Este, Uruguay

I was on a mission to hit the beach before heading home to Winter in the States. So I headed to the famous/infamous (?) Punta del Este, playground of the buena gente (folks with money). It was off season so it wasn't too crazy. Not too many boob jobs on the beach.

It looks sunny and beautiful in this picture, but it was also quite windy and hard to really be comfortable just hanging out in your suit on the beach (I'm a wimp). So unfortunately I didn't get too much beach time . I rented a bike instead and rode around town.

The local harbor where dingy old fishing boats are parked along side million dollar yachts.